bebé
/beˈbe/masculine
The Spanish word for baby is bebé. Wiktionary also lists nene and bebe.
Meaning: very young human being (noun)
Ways to say it
| Spanish | IPA | Note |
|---|---|---|
| bebé | /beˈbe/ | masculine |
| nene | /ˈnene/ | masculine |
| bebe | /ˈbebe/ | Argentina, masculine |
| guagua | /ˈɡwaɡwa/ | Bolivia, Chile, feminine, masculine |
| bebo | /ˈbebo/ | masculine |
The word bebé refers to a very young human being.
Which one should you use?
While bebé is the standard term, nene is a more colloquial way to refer to a baby or a small child.
Is there a formal and an informal way to say it?
Nene is considered a colloquial term.
Is it said differently in some regions?
In Chile and Bolivia, the term guagua is commonly used for a baby. The term "guaguá" is used instead of "bebé" in some regions and is common throughout the Caribbean.
How does it change in a sentence?
The noun bebé is masculine and requires masculine articles such as el or un. The word guagua can be used as either a masculine or feminine noun.
How do you pronounce it?
/beˈbe/
Did you know?
- If you are in Cuba or the Canary Islands, the word guagua might actually mean a bus rather than a baby.
- In Cuba, the word for bus, guagua, may have originated from the English word 'wagon'.
- In many parts of the Andes, such as Peru or Bolivia, you might call a baby a guagua due to its roots in the Quechua language.
Examples in context
- Ese bebé es Tom.That baby is Tom.This sentence is useful for identifying a specific baby using bebé.Tatoeba #1258396 by marcelostockle, translation #465073 by CK
- El bebé me sonrió.The baby smiled at me.This sentence is useful for describing an action of a baby using bebé.Tatoeba #1242568 by Shishir, translation #272361 by CK
- El bebé se durmió.The baby fell asleep.This sentence is useful for describing a baby falling asleep using bebé.Tatoeba #1569325 by hayastan, translation #45853 by CK
- ¡Hola, bebé! ¿Cómo estás hoy?Hello, baby! How are you today?
- Chiquitín, ¿ya estás listo para comer?Little one, are you ready to eat?
- ¡Nena, eres tan linda!Sweetie, you are so cute!
- Mi bebé está creciendo tan rápido.My baby is growing so fast.
- 320 more sentences on Tatoeba
Example conversation
A couple is at home looking for their child.
- María¿Has visto al bebé?Have you seen the baby?
- DanielNo, no veo al bebé por ningún lado.No, I don't see the baby anywhere.
- MaríaCreo que está en su cuna.I think he is in his crib.
- DanielSí, el bebé está durmiendo.Yes, the baby is sleeping.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “baby” translations and entries bebé, nene, bebe, guagua, bebo, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries bebe, bebé, guagua, nene, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
